ACHILLESΑχιλλευςmGreek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek Αχιλλευς (Achilleus) which is of unknown meaning, perhaps derived from Greek αχος (achos) "pain" or else from the name of the Achelous River. This was the name of a warrior in Greek legend, one of the central characters in Homer's 'Iliad'. The bravest of the Greek heroes in the war against the Trojans, he was eventually killed by an arrow to his heel, the only vulnerable part of his body.... [more]

AESOPΑισωποςmAncient Greek (Anglicized)From the Greek Αισωπος (Aisopos), which is of unknown meaning. This was the name of a Greek fabulist of the 6th century BC, famous for such tales as 'The Tortoise and the Hare'.

AGAPIOSΑγαπιοςmGreek, Ancient GreekMasculine form of AGAPE. This was the name of a saint from Caesarea who was martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian.

AGATHAΑγαθηfEnglish, Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Αγαθη (Agathe), derived from Greek αγαθος (agathos) meaning "good". Saint Agatha was a 3rd-century martyr from Sicily who was tortured and killed after spurning the advances of a Roman official. The saint was widely revered in the Middle Ages, and her name has been used throughout Christian Europe (in various spellings). The mystery writer Agatha Christie (1890-1976) was a famous modern bearer of this name.

AGNES‘ΑγνηfEnglish, German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name ‘Αγνη (Hagne), derived from Greek ‘αγνος (hagnos) meaning "chaste". Saint Agnes was a virgin martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian. The name became associated with Latin agnus "lamb", resulting in the saint's frequent depiction with a lamb by her side. Due to her renown, the name became common in Christian Europe, being especially popular in England in the Middle Ages.

AKAKIOSΑκακιοςmGreek, Ancient GreekFrom a Greek word meaning "innocent, not evil", derived from α (a), a negative prefix, combined with κακη (kake) "evil". This was the name of three early saints, two of whom were martyred.

ALCIBIADESΑλκιβιαδηςmAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Αλκιβιαδης (Alkibiades), derived from αλκη (alke) "strength" and βια (bia) "force" with the patronymic suffix ιδης (ides). This was the name of a notable Greek statesman and general during the Peloponnesian War. He changed allegiance from Athens to Sparta and back again during the course of the war.

ALEXISΑλεξιςm & fGerman, French, English, Greek, Ancient GreekFrom the Greek name Αλεξις (Alexis), which meant "helper" or "defender", derived from Greek αλεξω (alexo) "to defend, to help". This was the name of a 3rd-century BC Greek comic poet, and also of several saints. It is used somewhat interchangeably with the related name Αλεξιος or Alexius, borne by five Byzantine emperors. In the English-speaking world it is more commonly used as a feminine name.

ALEXIUSΑλεξιοςmAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Αλεξιος (Alexios), a derivative of Αλεξις (see ALEXIS). This was the name of five Byzantine emperors. It was also borne by a 5th-century Syrian saint who is especially venerated in the Eastern Church.

ANASTASIAΑναστασιαfGreek, Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, English, Spanish, Italian, Georgian, Ancient GreekFeminine form of ANASTASIUS. This was the name of a 4th-century Dalmatian saint who was martyred during the persecutions of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Due to her, the name has been common in Eastern Orthodox Christianity (in various spellings). As an English name it has been in use since the Middle Ages. A famous bearer was the youngest daughter of the last Russian tsar Nicholas II, who was rumoured to have escaped the execution of her family in 1918.

ANASTASIUSΑναστασιοςmAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Αναστασιος (Anastasios) which meant "resurrection" from Greek αναστασις (anastasis) (composed of the elements ανα (ana) "up" and στασις (stasis) "standing"). This was the name of numerous early saints and martyrs, including a 7th-century monk and writer from Alexandria who is especially venerated in the Eastern Church.

APOLLINARISΑπολλιναριςmAncient GreekAncient Greek name derived from the name of the god APOLLO. This was the name of several early saints and martyrs, including a bishop of Ravenna and a bishop of Hierapolis.

APOLLONIOSΑπολλωνιοςmAncient GreekFrom an ancient Greek personal name which was derived from the name of the Greek god APOLLO. It was borne by a Greek poet of the 3rd century BC. Several saints have also had this name.

ARISTOTLEΑριστοτεληςmAncient Greek (Anglicized)From the Greek name Αριστοτελης (Aristoteles) which meant "the best purpose", derived from αριστος (aristos) "best" and τελος (telos) "purpose, aim". This was the name of a Greek philosopher of the 4th century BC who made lasting contributions to Western thought, including the fields of logic, metaphysics, ethics and biology.

ARKADIOSΑρκαδιοςmAncient GreekFrom an ancient Greek name meaning "of Arcadia". Arcadia was a region in Greece, its name deriving from αρκτος (arktos) "bear". This was the name of a 3rd-century saint and martyr.

ARSENIOSΑρσενιοςmAncient GreekMeans "virile" in Greek. Saint Arsenius was a 5th-century deacon who was tutor to the two sons of the Roman emperor Theodosius. The two sons, Arcadius and Honorius, divided the empire into eastern and western halves upon their father's death.

ARTEMIDOROSΑρτεμιδωροςmAncient GreekMeans "gift of Artemis" from the name of the goddess ARTEMIS combined with Greek δωρον (doron) "gift". This was the name of a Greek author of the 2nd century who wrote about the interpretation of dreams.

ARTEMIOSΑρτεμιοςmAncient GreekFrom an ancient Greek name which was derived from the name of the Greek goddess ARTEMIS. This was the name of a 4th-century general in the Roman army who is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church.

ARTEMISIAΑρτεμισιαfAncient GreekFeminine form of ARTEMISIOS. This was the name of the 4th-century BC builder of the Mausoleum, one of the seven wonders of the world. She built it in memory of her husband, the Carian prince Mausolus.

ASKLEPIADESΑσκληπιαδηςmAncient GreekAncient Greek personal name which was derived from the name of the Greek god ASKLEPIOS combined with the patronymic suffix ιδης (ides). It was borne by several Greek physicians.

ASPASIAΑσπασιαfAncient GreekDerived from Greek ασπασιος (aspasios) meaning "welcome, embrace". This was the name of the lover of Pericles (5th century BC).

BERENICEΒερενικηfEnglish, Italian, Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of Βερενικη (Berenike), the Macedonian form of the Greek name Φερενικη (Pherenike), which meant "bringing victory" from φερω (phero) "to bring" and νικη (nike) "victory". This name was common among the Ptolemy ruling family of Egypt, a dynasty which was originally from Macedon. It occurs briefly in Acts in the New Testament (in most English Bibles it is spelled Bernice) belonging to a sister of King Herod Agrippa II. As an English name, Berenice came into use after the Protestant Reformation.

CHARESΧαρηςmAncient GreekDerived from Greek χαρις (charis) meaning "grace, kindness". This was the name of a 4th-century BC Athenian general. It was also borne by the sculptor who crafted the Colossus of Rhodes.

CLEOPATRAΚλεοπατραfAncient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek name Κλεοπατρα (Kleopatra) which meant "glory of the father", derived from κλεος (kleos) "glory" combined with πατηρ (pater) "father" (genitive πατρος), This was the name of queens of Egypt from the Ptolemaic royal family, including Cleopatra VII, the mistress of both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. After being defeated by Augustus she committed suicide by allowing herself to be bitten by an asp. Shakespeare's tragedy 'Antony and Cleopatra' (1606) is based on her.

CORINNAΚορινναfGerman, Italian, English, Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Κοριννα (Korinna), which was derived from κορη (kore) "maiden". This was the name of a Greek lyric poet of the 5th century BC. The Roman poet Ovid used it for the main female character in his book 'Amores'. In the modern era it has been in use since the 17th century, when Robert Herrick used it in his poem 'Corinna's going a-Maying'.

COSMASΚοσμαςmAncient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek name Κοσμας (Kosmas), which was derived from κοσμος (kosmos) meaning "order, decency". Saint Cosmas was martyred with his twin brother Damian in the 4th century. They are the patron saints of physicians.

CYRUSΚυροςmEnglish, Biblical, Biblical Latin, Ancient Greek (Latinized)From Κυρος (Kyros), the Greek form of the Persian name Kūrush, which may mean "far sighted" or "young". The name is sometimes associated with Greek κυριος (kyrios) "lord". It was borne by several kings of Persia, including Cyrus the Great, who conquered Babylon. He is famous in the Old Testament for freeing the captive Jews and allowing them to return to Israel. As an English name, it first came into use among the Puritans after the Protestant Reformation.

DEMETRIUSΔημητριοςmAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Δημητριος (Demetrios), which was derived from the name of the Greek goddess DEMETER (1). Kings of Macedon and the Seleucid kingdom have had this name. This was also the name of several early saints including a Saint Demetrius who was martyred in the 4th century.

DEMOSTHENESΔημοσθενηςmAncient GreekMeans "vigour of the people" from Greek δημος (demos) "the people" and σθενος (sthenos) "vigour, strength". This was the name of both an Athenian general of the 5th century and an Athenian orator of the 4th century.

DIONΔιωνmAncient Greek, EnglishShort form of DIONYSIOS and other Greek names beginning with the Greek element Διος (Dios) meaning "of ZEUS". This was the name of a 4th-century BC tyrant of Syracuse. It has been used as an American given name since the middle of the 20th century.

DIONYSIOSΔιονυσιοςmGreek, Ancient GreekGreek personal name derived from the name of the Greek god DIONYSOS. Famous bearers include two early tyrants of Syracuse and a 1st-century BC Greek rhetorician.

DIONYSIUSΔιονυσιοςmAncient Greek (Latinized), BiblicalLatin form of DIONYSIOS. Dionysius the Areopagite, who is mentioned in the New Testament, was a judge converted to Christianity by Saint Paul. This was also the name of many other early saints, including a 3rd-century pope.

DORISΔωριςfEnglish, German, Croatian, Ancient Greek, Greek MythologyFrom the ancient Greek name Δωρις (Doris) which meant "Dorian woman". The Dorians were a Greek tribe who occupied the Peloponnese starting in the 12th century BC. In Greek mythology Doris was a sea nymph, one of the many children of Oceanus and Tethys. It began to be used as an English name in the 19th century. A famous bearer is the American actress Doris Day (1924-).

DRACOΔρακωνmAncient Greek (Latinized)From the Greek name Δρακων (Drakon) which meant "dragon, serpent". This was the name of a 7th-century BC Athenian legislator. This is also the name of a constellation in the northern sky.

ELPISΕλπιςfAncient Greek, Greek MythologyMeans "hope" in Greek. In Greek mythology Elpis was the personification of hope. She was the last spirit to remain in the jar after Pandora unleashed the evils that were in it.

EURIPIDESΕυριπιδηςmAncient GreekDerived from Greek Ευριπος (Euripos), referring to the strait between Euboea and Boeotia, combined with the patronymic suffix ιδης (ides). This was the name of a 5th-century BC Greek tragic poet.

GAIANAΓαιανηfAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Γαιανη (Gaiane), a derivative of GAIA. This was the name of a (perhaps fictional) martyr who was killed in Armenia during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian in the late 3rd century.

HERACLIUS‘ΗρακλειοςmAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek personal name ‘Ηρακλειος (Herakleios) which was derived from the name of the Greek hero HERAKLES. This was the name of a 7th-century Byzantine emperor, known for his victories over the Sassanid Persian Empire. This name was also borne by two early saints.

HERAIS‘ΗραιςfAncient GreekAncient Greek personal name which was probably derived from the name of the Greek goddess HERA.

HERMAGORAS‘ΕρμαγοραςmAncient GreekFrom the name of the messenger god HERMES combined with Greek αγορα (agora) meaning "assembly, marketplace". Saint Hermagoras (3rd century) was the first bishop of Aquileia in Italy.

HERMES‘ΕρμηςmGreek Mythology, Ancient GreekProbably from Greek ‘ερμα (herma) meaning "cairn, pile of stones, boundary marker". Hermes was a Greek god associated with speed and good luck, who served as a messenger to Zeus and the other gods. He was also the patron of travellers, writers, athletes, merchants, thieves and orators.... [more]

HERODOTUS‘ΗροδοτοςmAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name ‘Ηροδοτος (Herodotos), derived from the name of the goddess HERA combined with δοτος (dotos) meaning "given, granted". Herodotus was a Greek historian of the 5th century BC who wrote about Persian and the Persian Wars. He is known as the Father of History.

HOMER‘ΟμηροςmEnglish, Ancient Greek (Anglicized)From the Greek name ‘Ομηρος (Homeros), derived from ‘ομηρος (homeros) meaning "hostage, pledge". Homer was the Greek epic poet who wrote the 'Iliad', about the Trojan War, and the 'Odyssey', about Odysseus's journey home after the war. There is some debate about when he lived, or if he was even a real person, though most scholars place him in the 8th century BC. In the modern era, Homer has been used as a given name in the English-speaking world (chiefly in America) since the 18th century. This name is borne by the cartoon father on the television series 'The Simpsons'.

HYACINTHUS‘ΥακινθοςmGreek Mythology (Latinized), Ancient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name ‘Υακινθος (Hyakinthos), which was derived from the name of the hyacinth flower. In Greek legend Hyakinthos was accidentally killed by Apollo, who caused a lily to arise from his blood. The name was also borne by several early saints, notably a 3rd-century martyr who was killed with his brother Protus.

IRENAEUSΕιρηναιοςmAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Ειρηναιος (Eirenaios) which meant "peaceful". Saint Irenaeus was an early bishop of Lyons for whom the Greek island of Santorini is named.

KALLISTOΚαλλιστωfGreek Mythology, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek καλλιστος (kallistos) meaning "most beautiful", a derivative of καλος (kalos) meaning "beautiful". In Greek mythology Kallisto was a nymph who was loved by Zeus. She was changed into a she-bear by Hera, and subsequently became the Great Bear constellation. This was also an ancient Greek personal name.

LEONΛεωνmEnglish, German, Polish, Slovene, Croatian, Dutch, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek λεων (leon) meaning "lion". During the Christian era this Greek name was merged with the Latin cognate Leo, with the result that the two forms are used somewhat interchangeably across European languages. In England during the Middle Ages this was a common name among Jews. A famous bearer was Leon Trotsky (1879-1940), a Russian Communist revolutionary.

LEONIDASΛεωνιδαςmGreek, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek λεων (leon) meaning "lion" combined with the patronymic suffix ιδης (ides). Leonidas was a Spartan king of the 5th century BC who sacrificed his life and his army defending the pass of Thermopylae from the Persians. This was also the name of a 3rd-century saint and martyr, the father of Origen, from Alexandria.

LEONTIOSΛεοντιοςmAncient GreekDerived from Greek λεων (leon) meaning "lion". This was the name of various early saints and martyrs. It was also borne by a 7th-century Byzantine emperor.

LIGEIAΛιγειαfGreek Mythology, Ancient GreekDerived from Greek λιγυς (ligys) meaning "clear-voiced, shrill, whistling". This was the name of one of the Sirens in Greek legend. It was also used by Edgar Allan Poe in his story 'Ligeia' (1838).

MELISSAΜελισσαfEnglish, Dutch, Ancient Greek, Greek MythologyMeans "bee" in Greek. This was the name of a nymph that cared for young Zeus in Greek mythology. It is also the name of the fairy who helps Rogero escape from the witch Alcina in Ludovico Ariosto's poem 'Orlando Furioso' (1516). As an English given name, Melissa has been used since the 18th century.

METHODIUSΜεθοδιοςmAncient Greek (Latinized)Latinized form of the Greek name Μεθοδιος (Methodios), derived from Greek μεθοδος (methodos) meaning "pursuit" or "method", ultimately from μετα (meta) "with" and ‘οδος (hodos) "road". Saint Methodius was a Greek missionary to the Slavs who developed the Cyrillic alphabet (with his brother Cyril) in order to translate the Bible into Slavic.